"If he has a goalscoring season like last year I see no reason why he can't get himself a ticket on that plane to Brazil," Le Tissier told BBC Sport.

"What Rickie has done has been phenomenal," added Le Tissier, who scored 212 goals in 543 appearances for Saints.

"Not too many players have made their international debut past 30, especially considering the path he has taken. But he is a hero at Southampton and has enough quality to be able to make a difference at international level.

"Lambert has put himself in Hodgson's thoughts. I don't think we're overly blessed with attacking options in England at the moment."